Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Uber and Lyft drivers are being charged with misdemeanor

Taxi Owner Goes Undercover, Files Papers Against Lyft and Uber
Citations seem to be part of doing business, and breaking into a new market, for the app-based ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft. They're finding out that elbowing their way into Houston's livery space for the past month doesn't come cheap. (Remember, Lyft is the one with the pink mustache on the grill, and Uber is the other one.)
Neither organization is allowed to operate like it wants to in this city, just yet. There's this little thing called Chapter 46 and an amendment to for-hire requirements that's working its way through city council. An Uber spokesperson tells us that they're looking to eliminate a 30-minute wait requirement, as well as a minimum fair requirement for catching rides. Right now, both services operate without charging riders. But that might not really be the case according to testimony heard in city hall.
The issue came up at yesterday's council meeting and Mayor Annise Parker said that undercover Houston police sting operations have resulted in 26 citations for Uber and Lyft drivers. They were likely, misdemeanor violations for operating an illegal taxi.
See this: Houston Threatens Uber With Some Legalese Over Email Campaign
The mayor's remark was in reply to testimony from Duane Kamins, a partner, along with his brothers in Houston's second largest cab company, Houston Transportation Services. He's also a lawyer and filed an affidavit with the state revealing his findings during his own undercover operation where he was charged some dollars for trips to the pharmacy and thereabouts.
"We clearly have two rogue operators in the city of houston today, uber and lyft who are operating in clear violation of Chapeter 46 of the [city] code," he said.........
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33 comments:

fine is not big deal, -Uber or Lyft can pay it, but being charged with misdemeanor? it is a completely different story......You have to go to court ....and if judge finds you guilty, you are going to have criminal record, then you can not operate as a public transportation provider legally / PERIOD

Uber didn't tell me that I would be operating illegally when I signed up with them,- I think I will sue uber for misinformation, lost wages, being targeted by local law enforcement and criminal record I acquired because driving for Uber

Be a real taxi driver you pos. Go thru the back ground check. Down in key West the cabbies stick together. Note uber drivers are getting arrested!! And if uber drivers are caught by of duty cabbies... Then so be it, uber won't Dave you then you leaches!

.MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - At Myrtle Beach International Airport, cabs are lined up one by one, desperately waiting for any business.

"I've had 3 phone calls since 10 o'clock this morning; normally I have 20 to 25," explained Bob Carroll, owner of City Cab.

He has been driving cabs for years and says Uber will drive his business into the ground.

"My average cab driver meter is $250 a night during the season, last night all of them brought home about $60," said Carroll. "It's bullying, you know, its price gouging."

Carroll says Uber drivers aren't following the same rules as cab drivers and the city agrees.

Thursday night city spokesperson Mark Kruea issued a statement saying 'Uber is not legally authorized to conduct business in the city of Myrtle Beach at this time.'

He says Uber does not have a business license and has never even contacted the city about getting one. Drivers could face misdemeanor charges for continuing to work.

We decided to see if Uber was actually giving rides. After a short eight minute wait, a driver pulled up outside WMBF news. He declined to give us a ride but says he was unaware he was operating illegally.

We inquired with Uber about the city's statement and it told us:

'Uber is not a transportation company. We're a technology company that connects riders to drivers with the safest ride on the roads.'

Kruea says a technology company is still providing a service and they don't have those licenses either. He also says since Uber post its fares online; it is by definition a taxi service.

Why Pinelass county or City of St Pete doesn't sue UBER for enticing illegal activities and keeping their drivers in the dark about legal requirements for transportation providers in Tampa Bay.Lawsuit like this, could be worth +$20 million........

I don't understand, why cops are after little guy? and not after UBER with multi-million dollar fines for enticing drivers to commit criminal acts? is uber legally registered company in state of Florida?

Ah well, for uber this just cost of conducting a war with local cab companies and legal system,- if someones life gets ruined because of misdemeanor charge, that's fine with uber, as long as the company gains market share in local market.

right now you can, but once uber is forced to comply with local laws, you wont be able to get hack licence,also you should take into consideration second and third misdemeanor charge for illegal operation and how judge will react to your recidive.............

The Worst Job I Ever HadI began working for Uber in Tampa on May 1st 2014, after reading an ad promising great pay, company provided insurance and legal support in case of citations for violating Tampa city ordinances. It turns out that none of Ubers claims were true, and I ended up losing money and ruining my driving record in the process. I am now unemployable thanks to the 3 criminal charges I received in 4 months of driving for Uber. The first time I was pulled over, I was charged with a misdemeanor and found not guilty. I was assessed a $149 fine, which Uber paid when I contacted them. The second time I was ticketed it was for not having commercial insurance, and I have a court date pending in early November. I have contacted Uber regarding this court date and they have so far ignored my correspondence. On my third offense, I was handcuffed and taken to jail and my car was impounded as well. After paying $1000 bond to get out of jail, and over $500 to get my vehicle out of the impound yard, Uber has notified me that I no longer qualify to drive for them. Due to the charges against me, no other companies will hire me either. I have a wife and kids to support and now I am unable to find work in my chosen profession. Even Uber themselves will not hire me now!

I am looking for lawyer to represent me in lawsuit against Uber for lying to me, lost wages, criminal record, mental suffering Interested parties, please leave PH number or website url with name to contact on this blog

I know the guy, who used to be a cab driver in Tampa, until he got busted for delivering weed and pills in whole Tampa BayHe was charged and found guilty of felony with suspended sentenceHe got fired from Yellow Cab of Tampa and later I saw him driving either for Uber or Lyft,- probably doing same thing,- dealing with drugs.

This sound like a Uber Shit classic :)), clearly uber's background check is printed on toilet paper without finger printing.Hey!!!!, anybody, especially REAL CRIMINALS can have fake ID's, SS's and DL's but good people can not comprehend this and trust on Uber word for their safety ...........

Sue the hell out of uber, but get the best lawyer that you can, some lawyers you don't pay unless you win the case and uber got deep pockets from all those poor folks who listen to their scam and drove for them.